Tree plantings termed successful at Deer Creek

August 27, 2013

A total of 2,500 trees and 480 shrubs were planted in May of 210 along both sides of Deer Creek on Toledo's west side on what is now Business Route 30 according to Mark Sloppy, Iowa Department of Transportation Environmental specialist.

"Trees are poking out of the tubes pretty well. The tress are now on their own. We've lost a few due to flooding which can be expected," he told The Chronicle last week. However, he said the area is monitored at least once a year by himself and reports made to both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Corps of Engineers.

He said the tree planting "was above and beyond" the Corps of Engineers requirement in issuing a permit for "stream mitigation" to provide for the new U.S. 30 Expressway which crosses Deer Creek to the south.

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Area along the west side of Deer Creek at the bridge on Business Route 30 in Toledo shows trees which have been growing in tubes since planted in 2010 in this photo taken Friday, Aug. 16. Chronicle/John Speer

The permit called for planting of native grasses which was also done.

Overall, Sloppy said the Deer Creek project has gone well.

He said the creek was lined with rip rap (stone fragments) to replace what were "non-vegative" vertical walls. Flooding has deposited sediment in the rip rap "which will eventually provide overhanging areas for fish and benefit reptiles and amphibians," he said.

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In addition to the Deer Creek area, stream impact work was also done by the DOT at several culvert locations between the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel entrance west of Toledo and the end of the Expressway project on Tama's east side.

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